Stein



Feb. 23, 1965 R. STEIN 3,170,595

HOPPER AND FEED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1962 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RAPHAEL STEIN ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1965 R. STEIN 3,170,595

HOPPER AND FEED MECHANISM Filed Jan. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

RAPHAEL STEIN ma??? M ATTORNEY United States Patent() Gee 3,110,595

Patented Feb. 23,1965

3,170,595 HOPPER AND FEED MECHANISM Raphael Stein, 1363 Meeting House Road, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Filed Jan. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 166,088 11 Claims. (Cl. 221-182) This invention relates to a hopper and feed mechanism. In particular, this invention relates to a hopper and feed mechanism which is adaptable for use on rivet setting machines, eyelet machines, etc.

The hopper and feed mechanism of the present invention is illustrated as being attached to a rivet setting machine. The hopper and feed mechanism is adapted to continuously and automatically feed elements to a desired point. In rivet setting machines proposed heretofore, it has been conventional to transfer rivets from a raceway to a throat block or the like by means of a reciprocating shuttle. Shuttles of this nature have not been entirely satisfactory since small amounts of oil, dirt or burrs on the rivets prevent the lowermost rivet from entering the slot in the shuttle. As a result thereof, jamming of the shuttle and rivets has been common heretofore.

The present invention utilizes a positive transfer means. The positive transfer means comprises an arcuate finger which rubs against the lowermost rivet in the raceway thereby rotating the same. Constant rotation of the lowermost rivet in the raceway assures the dropping of said rivet into the transfer slot, wherein such finger will physically push the rivet to the feed slot of the throat block or plate.

The hopper is of the type wherein quantities of rivets may be manually placed therein. A rotor in the hopper automatically separates the rivets and feeds the same to a raceway. The rotor is the only element of the hopper which need be replaced when converting from one size rivet to another. When converting from one siz rivet to another, the entire raceway may be removed by merely adjusting two bolts. Thus,v the hopper and feed mechanism of the present invention facilitates the rapid conversion from one size rivet to another. This invention is a substantial change over the prior art wherein the entire hopper and raceway had to be replaced when converting from one size rivet to another. The changes associated with the prior art were quite extensive and resulted in a substantial amount of down time for the machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel hopper and feed mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel hopper and feed mechanism which facilitates the rapid conversion from one size of the element being dispensed to another size.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel transfer mechanism for feeding rivets or the like from the raceway to the throat plate.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a rivet setting machine incorporating the hopper and feed mechanism of the present invention, with portions broken away for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the hopper as taken along the lines 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along the lines 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevation View of the rotor in the hopper.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the uppermost end of the raceway, illustrating the means for securing the raceway to the hopper. FIGURE 6 is a section view taken along the lines 66 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken'along lines 7-7 in FIGURE 2. e

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like nu merals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a rivet setting machine designated generally as 10.

The rivet setting machine 10 includes a frame 12 cast from metal. The frame 12 may be mounted on a table, or as illustrated on a pedestal support 14. An anvil arm 16 having an anvil 18 extends from the pedestal support 14 in the same direction and below the horizontally extending arm of the frame 12.

The horizontally extending arm of the frame 12 terminates in a guid portion 20 having an upright bore therethrough. A cylindrical driver guide sleeve 22 is reciprocally secured within such bore in the portion 20. A cylindrical driver mechanism 24 is reciprocally disposed within and guided by a longitudinally extending bore in the driver guide sleeve 22. Spring means are provided to bias sleeve 22 against limit stop 23. A reciprocally disposed driver 26 extends from the lowermost end of the driver mechanism 24. The lowermost end of the driver 26 extends between a pair of spaced jaws 30. Only one jaw 30 is illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The jaws 30 are supported from the guide sleeve 22 by a pair of flat flexible jaw springs 32 and 34. The man ner in which the driver 26 co-operates with the jaws 30 to force a rivet through aligned holes in superimposed members is set forth in detail in my co-pending application Serial No. 141,398 filed on September 28, 1961 and entitled Rivet SettingMachine.

One end of a link 74 is pivotally connected to the uppermost end of the driver mechanism 24. The other end of the link 74 is rotatably connected between a pair of ears on an arm 76. The arm 76 forms one leg of L-shaped link 78. The link 7 8 is rotatably secured between a pair of ears 80 by means of a pin 82.

The arm 84 terminates in a pair of spaced ears and forms the other leg of the L-shaped link 78. The arm 84 is rotatably secured to an end 86 of piston rod 88. The other end of piston rod 88 extends into a power cylinder 90 and terminates at a piston 92. The power cylinder 90 has one end rotatably supported by a bracket 94 having spaced ears through which a pivot pin 96 extends.

Flexible conduits 98 and 100 extend from opposite ends of the power cylinder 90. The conduits 98 and 100 extend from a valve 102. The valve 102 is provided with a solenoid operator 104. Oil or a comparable hydraulic liquid is pumped from the reservoir 106 by means of pump 108 through the valve 102 and the conduits 98 and 100. The pump 108 is operated by means of a motor 110. A main control switch 112 is provided on the support 14 for controlling the supply of electricity to the machine 10. After the main switch 112 has been turned on, the operator of the machine may initiate operation of the machine 10 by means of a foot pedal operated switch coupled to the switch 112 and the solenoid operator 104.

As shown more clearly in FIGURES 1 and 2, the piston rod 88 is provided with an O-shaped portion intermediate its ends. The O-shaped portion includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 118 and 120. A raceway or rivet guide means 122 extends through the O-shaped portion between the arms 118 and 120. As shown more clearly in FIG- URE 6, the raceway 122 includes a top plate 121 having spaced bottom plates 123 and 123' secured thereto by screws or the like. The space between the plates 123 and 123' define a slot 124 through which the shank portion of a rivet may extend. Spacers 125 are provided between slots 124 and 123. The arcuate nature of the slot 130.

123 and 123', respectively. bracket 171 are preferably one integral piece.

slot 124. The ends of the plates 173 and 174 are adapted to be secured to the uppermost ends of the plates Plates 173 and 174 and The uppermost surface. of the bracket 171 and the throat plate 174 areflush with the uppermost surface of the base 162. The uppermost surface of the throat plate prevents rivets from climbing uphillto the slot 132 from the slot 128. a j

Rivets are fed between the jaws 311 from the slot 132.

An arcuate finger 134 extends into the slot 136 until limit stop 135 on plate 136 contacts a side of plate 126. 'As

the finger 134 reciprocates in the slot 13%, it is always in rolling contact with the shank portion of the lowermost rivet inthe slot 12%. Finger 134 is integrally connected to one end of an arm 136. I The arrn136 is rotatably supported for rotation about a pivot pin 138.

Rotation of the arm 136, and hence reciprocatlon of the finger 134 within the slot 131 is caused by an actuator rod 141 The rod extendsthrough a boss 142 on the horizontally disposed arm of the frame 12 and terminates in a cam follower 144. A spring 146 surrounds the rod 140 and extends between the cam follower 144 and the boss 142. The cam follower 144 co-operates with a cam surface 143 and the lowermost surface of the arm A coil spring 15% surrounds the rod 140 adjacent its lowermost end. The spring 150 extends between an adjustable collar 152 and washer 154. The washer 154 is in abutting contact with a bushing 155 mounted on the arm 136. The lowermost end of the rod 140 extends through an enlarged bore inbushing 155 and terminates in a threaded nut 157. Accordingly, as the rod 14% moves to the left in FIGURES as a result of movement of the cam surface 148 to the left in FIGURE 1, a portion of the left hand end of rod 140 overtravels thebushing 1'57 thereby compressing the spring 156. Theenergy of the compressed spring 155} rotates the arm 136 in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 3. Such movement of the arm 136 causes reciprocation of the finger 134 so that it may move the. next rivet in slot 128 into the slot 132. If a rivet jams, the overtravel of rod 144) with respect to bushing 155 prevents the elements from breaking.

A hopper 156 is supported adjacent tojtop portion of the machine 10 by means of a bracket 158. The hopper 156 comprises a hollow cylinder 160 mounted in a planar base 162. A rotor 164 is rotatably mounted within the cylinder 160 on the base 162. The rotor 164 is keyed to a shaft 166 which extends through thebase 162. The rotor 164 is maintained in contact with the juxtaposed surface of the base 162 by means of awing nut 168. The

rotor 164 is provided with a fin 165 for stirring the rivets.

v The outer peripheral surface of the'rotor 164 is spaced from the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 160 by a distance slightly larger than the thickness of the head portion of the rivet currently. being used on the machine 10. A plurality of radially extending recesses 179 are provided on the outer periphery of the rotor 164. The width and length of the recesses are slightly larger than the correspondingdimensions of the shank portion of the rivet currently being used on the machine. The

upper surface of the rotor 164 slopes from the shaft 166 toward the cylinder 160'. The width of the slots 170 are smaller than the transverse dimensions of the head portions of the rivets currently being used.

The base 162 is provided with a peripheral slot which receives the mounting means for the upper endofthe raceway 122. Such mounting means includes an L-shaped bracket 171 integrally secured to a throat plate 173. A throat plate 174 is juxtaposed and spaced from the plate 173 thereby forming a slot 172 which is a continuationof i 173 is spaced from the uppermost surface of the base 162 thereby defining a lead slot 175; The leading edge of the throat plate 174 is tapered at 176 to assure that all rivets drop through the slot 172.

, Each of the plates 173 and 174 are removably secured to a cover plate 177 by means of threaded fasteners not shown. Spacers are provided between the cover plate 177 andthe plates .173 and 174 so as to accommodate the thicknessof the'head portion of the rivets. A spring biased repicrocably mounted detent 178 extends through the base 162 diametrically opposite the slot 172 to cause the rotor 164 to hesitate slightly as it passes thereover to assure that the rivets will fall through the slot 172.

An actuator plate 179 and a ratchet 18% are supported on theshaft 166 below the base 162. The ratchet 180 is keyed to the shaft 166. A pawl 182 is rotatably supported on the plate 179 for rotation about pin 184. A hair spring 136 biases the pawl 182 into engagement with the ratchet 189. A coil spring 188 biases the plate 179 toward limit stop 139. Limit stop 189'may be a rod depending from base 162.

The bias of spring 138 is opposed by the force imparted to the plate 1'79 by shaft 1%. One end of shaft 1% is connected to plate 179 by means of a universal connection 192. Connection 192 includes a housing 191 rotatable about the longitudinal axis of its stem 193. The

.stem 193 is releasably connected to plate 179 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 7. Shaft 19tlextends through a roller 194 adapted to rotate within housing 191 about axis AA in FIGURE 7.

Shaft 191) terminates in a threaded end having a nut 194 thereon. A spring 195 surrounds shaft 1% and biases housing 191 to the right in FIGURE 2. In this manner, shaft can overtravel housing 191 if the rotor 164 jams. The rotor 164 would jam, for example, if someone put a penny in hopper 156. The other end of shaft 190 is connected to an actuator arm 198 by a ball and socket connection 196. The arm 198 is supported by arm 120. The shank portion of a bolt 2tl2 extends through a longitudinally extending slot 264 on arm 1% and is threadably secured to stud 2th).

The lowermost end of the shaft 166 terminates in a hand knob 216. Manipulation of the hand knob 216 facilitates manual rotation of the rotor 164. Such manforth in detail in my above-mentioned co-pending application. Accordingly, only that portion of the operation of the machine 10 which is necessary to understand the operation of the hopper and feeding mechanism will be set forth hereinafter.

It will be assumed that the elements are in the position illustrated in thevarious figures of the drawing' The hopper 156 will have an adequate supply of rivets therein. To retain the rivetswithin the hopper 156, the pivotably mounted cover for the hopper will be in its closed disposition as illustrated in FIGURE 1. The knob 216 will be manually rotated so as to feed a sufiicient number of rivets 206 downthe raceway 122 to assure initial starting of the machine 10. One rivet 206'will be disposed between thejaws 30. The main switch 112 will'be on and move to the left.

a' pair of sheet-like members will be disposed one over When the operator steps on the foot pedal operated switch, the piston rod 88 reciprocates to the left in FIG- spring 146. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3, the

rod 140 passes through the bushing supported by the arm 136 thereby compressing the spring 150 between the adjustable collar 152 and the washer 154.

Compression of the spring 150 results in a smooth application of pressure to the arm 136 thereby rotating the same in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 3. Such rotation of the arm 136 causes the finger 134 to reciprocate in the slot 130 and, push the next rivet to slot 132.

As the finger 134 reciprocates in the slot 130, a side edge thereof engages the shank portion of the lowermost rivet thereby rotating the same. Such rotation of the lowermost rivet assures that it will be free to fall into the slot 130 as soon as the end of the-finger 134 clears the slot 128 on its return stroke.

As the piston rod 88 moves to the left in FIGURE 1, the stud 200 and the bolt 202 on the arm 120 likewise Such movement of the arm 120 enables the spring 188 to rotate the plate 179 in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 2 until the plate 179 abuts the limit stop 189. This rotation of the plate 179 repositions the pawl 182 with respect to the teeth on the ratchet 180. The ball and socket joint 196 and the connection 192 facilitate the pivoting and reciprocating motion of the arm 198.

After the rivet 206 has been set and deformed so as to fixedly secure the sheet-like materials together, the spool within the valve 102 will resume its normal disposition wherein oil is being pumpedfrom the reservoir 106 through conduit 98 into. the cylinder 90. In such disposition, the flow of oil into the cylinder 90 causes the piston rod 88 and piston 92 to reciprocate to the right to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1. Such movement of the piston rod 88 to the right in FIGURE 1 enables the spring 146 to expand therebykeeping the cam follower 144 in contact with the cam surface 158. Also, the rod 140 reciprocates in the direction away from the jaws 30. At the same time, the spring 150 expands thereby enabling the arm 136 to rotate in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 3. Such rota-tion of the arm 136 causes the finger 134 to return to a position where it pushes another rivet on its next stroke. Contact between the nut on the end of the rod 140 and the arm 136 assures a full return stroke of the finger 134.

After a predetermined amount of travel of the piston rod 88 to the right in FIGURE 1, the shank portion of the bolt 202 contacts the end of the slot 204 thereby causing the arm 190 to rotate the plate 179 to the solid line position illustrated in FIGURE 2. Such rotary movement of the plate 179 causes the pawl 182 to rotate the ratchet 180. Since the ratchet 180 is keyed to the shaft 166, the rotor 164 rotates through a predetermined arc so as to place another recess 170 over the slot 172. As a result of the rotary movement of the plate 179, the spring 188 is expanded so that it may maintain contact between the bolt 202 and the arm 198 on the next stroke.

When it is desired to convert to one size rivet to another, bolts 208 and 210 are removed. This enables the raceway 122 to be free from securement with respect to the machine 10 so that a different size raceway may be substituted therefor. The rotor 164 may be removed by manipulation of the wing nut 168. Thereafter, a new rotor may be substituted. Thus, it will be seen that the machine 10 may be converted from one size rivet to another in a very expeditious manner resulting in very little downtime. The surfaces of the raceway 122 should be kept smooth and clean as well as free from oil and dust.

This facilitates free feeding of the rivets under the effect of gravity. While the present invention has been illustrated in connection with rivets and a rivet setting machine, it will be appreciated that it is within the scope. 'of the present invention to utilize the hopper and feed mechanism with any rod-like member having a head or flange at one end. Accordingly, the rivets may be referred to hereinafter as rod-like members.

Particular attention is directed to FIGURESI and 4 wherein it will be noted that the hopper 156 is disposed at a 30 degree angle with respect to the vertical. The slot 172 is in line with a radius of the base 162. Therefore, the slot 172 is positioned at the lowest point on the base 162. Since the lead slot 175 is disposed to the left of slot 172 inFIGURE 5, the rotor 164 is adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in FIGURE 4 as indicated by the arrow.

Since the hopper 156 is tilted in the illustrated embodihopper will be located in a position wherein the rivets can be dispensed. The fin 165 on the rotor 164 stirs the rivets within the hopper 156 to keep the rivets moving in a circular path.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention. 7

I claim:

1. Apparatus comprising a hopper, a raceway extending downwardly from said hopper, said raceway having a longitudinally extending slot, said hopper including a base, an upstanding housing on said base, a rotor on said base, said rotor being secured to a shaft extending through said base, said rotor having a plurality of peripheral recesses adapted to be placed in communication with said raceway slot, and a means for intermittently rotatingsaid shaft, said means including a universal connection, a rod extending through said connection and capable of overtraveling the same, a ratchet means connected to said shaft, and spring biased elements interconnecting said ratchet means and said connection.

2. Apparatus comprising a hopper adapted to receive a plurality of rod-like members, a raceway depending from said hopper, means for transferring rod-like members from said hopper to a slot extending along said raceway, a throat plate having a slot offset from said raceway slot, and an arcuate slot in the throat plate connecting the lower end of said raceway slot to the upper end of the said throat plate slot, the lower end of said raceway slot being lower than the upper end of said throat plate slot, and means for intermittently pushing a rod-like member from said raceway slot to said throat plate slot, said means including an arcuate finger reciprocally mounted within said arcuate slot.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said intermittent pushing means includes a rotatably mounted arm having one end connected to said finger, an actuator rod reciprocable along said raceway, and means interconnecting said arm with said rod so that reciprocation of said rod causes reciprocation of said finger, said rod extending through said interconnection means and capable of overtraveling the same.

4. Apparatus comprising a hopper adapted to receive a plurality of rod-like members, a raceway depending from said hopper means for transferring rod-like members from said hopper to a slot extending along said raceway, a throat plate having a slot offset from said raceway slot, means providing communication between said slots, means reciprocably slideable within said communication means for intermittently pushing a rod-like member from said raceway slot to said throat plate slot an actuator rod reciprocable along said raceway, and means interconnectving said pushing means with said rod so that reciprocation of said rod causes reciprocation of said pushing means,

said rod extending through said interconnecting means 7 and capable of overtraveling the same.

from 'said hopper to a slot extending along-the length of said raceway, a first throat platehaving a slot parallel to but offset from said raceway slot, meansproviding a a 5. Apparatus comprising a hopper adapted to receive a V, plurality of rod-like members, a racewayextending down- 7 wardly from said hopper, said raceway having a longitudinally extending slot, a throat plate, said throat plate having a slot, means providing communication between said slots, a reciprocable finger in said communication means for intermittently pushing a rod-like member from said raceway slot to said throat plate slot, said hopper including a base, a rotor on said base, said rotor being secured to a shaft extending through said base, saidrotor having a plurality of peripheral recesses adapted to be intermittently placed in communication with said raceway slot, an actuator rod reciprocable along said raceway, first means interconnecting said actuator rod with said finger .so that reciprocation of said rod causes reciprocation of saidfinger, means for intermittently rotating said rotor shaft, a reciproca-tory membenan'd second means interconnecting said reciprocatory member with the intermittent rotation means for said rotor, shaft and the reciprocable actuator rod for operating the sameduring reciprocal movement of said member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hopper includes a stationary housing Within which said rotor ro-' tates, said rotor having a single fin thereon for stirring rod-lil e members in said hopper.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second interconnecting means includes a cam on said reciprocatory member, means on the end of said actuator rod for urging said rod into contact with a surface on said cam, reciprocation of said member imparting reciprocatory motion to said ro d' through said camming surface.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second interconnecting means includes a universal con- 7 nection, a rod slideably and rotatabiy connected to said reciprocatory member at one end and extending through said universal connection at its opposite end and capable of overtravelingthe same, said means for intermittently rotating said rotor shaft including a ratchet connected to said shaft, and spring biased elements interconnecting said ratchet and said universal connection.

9. Apparatus comprising a hopper adapted toreceive a plurality of rod-like members, a raceway depending from said hopper, means for transferring rod-like members communication between said slots, means slidcable within said communication means for intermittently pushing a rod-like member from said raceway slot to said first throat plate slot, said transfer means including a second throat plate between said hopper and said raceway, said second throat plate having a slot'in line with the raceway .slot and a lead slot communicating with said second throat plate slot, said lead slot being partially defined by a surface of said second throat plate disposed below the uppermost end of said second throat plate slot.

10. Apparatus-comprising a hopper adapted to receive a plurality of rod-like members, a rotatably mounted substantially fiat rotor in said hopper, said rotor having a plurality of radially inwardly directed slots on its periphery adapted to receive rod-like members, a reciprocable .mechanism, means coupled to said rotor for intermittently rotating said rotor in response to reciprocation of said mechanism, a raceway dependingfrom said hopper, a

throat plate between said hopper and said raceway, said throat plate having a slot in line with the raceway slot, a lead slotpartially defined by a surface of said throat plate below the plane of said rotor for receiving rod-like members from said rotor slots, one end of said lead slot communicating directly with the upper end of said throat plate slot. 1

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 including means within said hopper for causing said rotor to hesitate when said rotor slot passes by said throat plate slot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUISI. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. LEVERNE D. GEIGER, Examiner.

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2. APPARATUS COMPRISING A HOPPER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF ROD-LIKE MEMBERS, A RACEWAY DEPENDING FROM SAID HOPPER, MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING ROD-LIKE MEMBERS FROM SAID HOPPER TO A SLOT EXTENDING ALONG SAID RACEWAY, A THROAT PLATE HAVING A SLOT OFFSET FROM SAID RACEWAY SLOT, AND AN ARCUATE SLOT IN THE THROAT PLATE CONNECTING THE LOWER END OF SAID RACEWAY SLOT TO THE UPPER END OF THE SAID THROAT PLATE SLOT, THE LOWER END OF SAID RACEWAY SLOT BEING LOWER THAN THE UPPER END OF SAID THROAT PLATE SLOT, 